Page 17 of Roughing the Princess

There was just one problem. He was my only friend that had me waking up panting in the middle of the night. And I was starting to wonder if he was as sinful in real life as he was in my dreams.

I sighed and grabbed my pen again. I needed to focus on anything but my date with him tonight. Because I was worried if I thought about it any more…I wouldn’t have the nerve to show up.

***

I didn’t write a single lyric all night. Because my eyes had been glued to the TV watching the Minotaurs game. And when Talon got his touchdown and twerked and smiled at the camera…it felt like he was smiling at me. And I laughed when he got another touchdown and blew a kiss at the camera. That definitely felt like it was for me. I loved every second of it.

But the game was over.

He’d texted me saying he was already at the bar we were supposed to meet up at.

He’d texted me again, asking where I was.

And again.

And I was frozen. I’d gotten ready. All I had to do was slip on my heels and walk out the door. But instead I was just standing here.

I couldn’t date Talon Kendrick. I couldn’t date anyone. Because it always ended the same. I was fucking cursed. My phone buzzed and I stared down at his words:

“You’re not seriously standing me up, princess?”

God, I didn’t want to. I wanted to be tucked under his arm laughing with him and his friends. I wanted to be that carefree girl.

But I couldn’t get my mind to stop spinning. I’d never dated a guy like Talon before. I’d looked up his long, sordid past a few weeks ago. He’d hooked up with a lot of people. I didn’t want to just be another notch on his bedpost.

For all I knew, this whole thing was some crazy publicity stunt he created. Showing up to my concert. Casually mentioning on his podcast that he wanted to meet me. What if he just wanted me to show up so he could sell more jerseys with his number on it? What if he was just using me? It wouldn’t be the first time someone had used me for their own fame.

I tried to shake away the thought. He was already famous. He didn’t need me for that. But it didn’t mean he wasn’t trying to use me. As the next girl on his arm for all the cameras.

He was a player.

And I was worried about being played.

“I’m the last one here,” he texted. “It’s just me. I want to see you, princess.”

My heart was racing so fast it was like I could feel it slamming against my ribcage. It was worse than my nerves before a concert. The anxiety creeping around my chest.

I took a step toward the door. And then a step back. My heart was still broken. And if it broke any more, I was worried I’d never be able to put the pieces back together.

It was too soon.

I needed a friend right now. Nothing more.

My phone started buzzing.Shit.Talon was calling me. He’d never called me before. I hit the reject call button.

God, what am I doing?I wanted to talk to him. I wanted to see him. But I’d rather do it out of the city. Away from all the crowds and paparazzi. Would he even want that?

My phone buzzed again. He’d left a voicemail. I hit the play button:

“You stood me up, princess.” He laughed, but it sounded forced. “You know, I told my friends you were coming. The whole team is going to give me shit for this. Hell, they’ve already given me shit. I’m in the friendzone, right? That’s what this is? Baby, I don’t want to be in the friendzone.”

Something about the way he said baby made the anxiety in my chest ease.

“Do you have any idea how long I’ve been waiting to date you? I’ve been in love with you since high school.”

Oh my God.

He hiccupped.

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